(CMR) Bars and nightclubs will be closed at 12 midnight until 30 December as part of changes to COVID-19 regulations in response to the presence of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in the Cayman Islands.
Premier Wayne Panton announced the changes to COVID-19 regulations at a press conference today, Thursday, 16 December,
Additionally, Mr. Panton said persons visiting healthcare facilities, care home facilities, prisons, or places of detention will now have to do a COVID-19 test at the facility or an approved lab on the day of their visit.
“While we prepare to celebrate the holidays, I want to encourage everyone to remain committed to making safe and responsible choices and to carefully reconsider the extent of their social gatherings,” the Premier said.
“We must stay vigilant as now is not the time to drop our guard, especially as we face this new challenge of the omicron variant in our fight against COVID-1,” he continued.
Provision for large gatherings of more than 250 persons has been removed, Panton said. Previously 250 people were allowed to meet outdoors. Also, establishments that could implement partitions and have 250 persons in each area were allowed to. However, this will no longer be allowed.
As part of the new regulations, there will be mandatory testing of frontline workers regardless of vaccination status.
Premier Panton also encouraged people who can stay home from work to do so and isolate themselves if they test positive for COVID-19.
“We must do our part to limit any negative spiraling effects on our bruised economy,” he said.
These regulations were announced a day before a set of new rules, which include the need for travelers to do a COVID test one day before travel, go into effect on Friday, 17 December.
Persons in Cayman who require a COVID-19 test for travel will also have to stand the cost when these new regulations become effective on Friday.
On Thursday, Premier Panton announced that the Christmas marketplace had been postponed; however, fireworks will proceed. People can watch from their vehicles
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